Bengaluru, Feb 4 (Representative) In a remarkable display of talent and composure, fifteen-year-old shooting sensation Jonathan Anthony defeated a field of Olympians to clinch the gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the National Games in Uttarakhand. The Karnataka prodigy, in only his second appearance at a senior national event, finished with a score of 240.7, narrowly edging out Services’ Ravinder Singh (240.3) and Gurpreet Singh (220.1), who took silver and bronze respectively. “I can’t believe this,” said an overwhelmed Anthony after the competition. “To win gold, especially against shooters who have represented India at the highest level, is just a dream come true. Today was my day, and I’m incredibly proud of how everything came together.”Anthony’s triumph was all the more impressive given the quality of opponents he faced, including Tokyo Olympian Saurabh Choudhary. The qualifying round saw both Anthony and Choudhary shoot identical scores of 578, with each scoring inner 10s, but it was Anthony’s superior final series that saw him edge past the Youth Olympic champion and multiple World Cup medalist. Choudhary, who has a wealth of international experience, had to settle for fifth place. The final also featured Paris 2024 bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh, another Olympian with a decorated resume. However, it was the young Anthony who maintained his composure under pressure, ultimately securing the gold and becoming the youngest-ever National Games champion in the men’s 10m air pistol event.
Sarabjot Singh finished in fourth place with a score of 198.4.”I’ve always looked up to shooters like Saurabh and Sarabjot,” said Anthony. “It’s surreal to be standing alongside them as the winner today. This victory means so much more because I had to beat some of the best shooters in the country. “While the men’s 10m air pistol event provided an exhilarating climax, the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event also featured stellar performances. Olympian Sift Kaur Samra delivered a commanding performance, securing the gold for Punjab with a score of 461.2. Her statemate Anjum Moudgil bagged silver with 458.7, while Telangana’s Surabhi Bhardwaj Rapole earned bronze with 448.8. For Samra, the victory marked a personal triumph. “This feels like a comeback after the Olympics,” said Samra.”I didn’t take a break and kept training. Winning gold today feels extra special, and I’m pleased with how I executed my routine and focused on the small details that made the difference. It’s wonderful to share the podium with Anjum, who’s an incredible shooter. “The National Games, 2025, showcased India’s rising potential in shooting, with young talent like Jonathan Anthony making a bold statement on the national stage by upstaging seasoned Olympians.